Camilla's Guidebook
Food scene
Wonderful restaurant, cafe and little marketplace full of local foods. Beautiful views of the marina and excellent food. Great if you want a coffee, breakfast, lunch and dinner. Highly recommend.
Nanoose Bay Cafe
Wonderful restaurant, cafe and little marketplace full of local foods. Beautiful views of the marina and excellent food. Great if you want a coffee, breakfast, lunch and dinner. Highly recommend.
Absolutely love this place! Local favourite. The food is excellent, the beer is great and the service is amazing. It’s a must for any visitor.
7 locals recommend
Rusted Rake Farm
3106 NW Bay RdAbsolutely love this place! Local favourite. The food is excellent, the beer is great and the service is amazing. It’s a must for any visitor.
Delicious food and fantastic ambience. Only a 5min drive from our home and highly recommend.
17 locals recommend
Rocking Horse Pub
2038 Sanders RdDelicious food and fantastic ambience. Only a 5min drive from our home and highly recommend.
Wonderful restaurant to visit with a beautiful outdoor balcony. Views of the golf course and stunning flowers. Fast and fun service with a pub like menu. It’s one of our favourite places!
41 locals recommend
Fairwinds Golf Club
3730 Fairwinds DrWonderful restaurant to visit with a beautiful outdoor balcony. Views of the golf course and stunning flowers. Fast and fun service with a pub like menu. It’s one of our favourite places!
Ocean views and quaint feeling, this restaurant/pub is a lovely hidden gem. Service is slow, it’s island time! But it’s a great place to visit if you want to explore Pacific Shores beach and area.
Amazing Caesar salad and delicious food!
Pacific Moon Rising Bar & Grill
Ocean views and quaint feeling, this restaurant/pub is a lovely hidden gem. Service is slow, it’s island time! But it’s a great place to visit if you want to explore Pacific Shores beach and area.
Amazing Caesar salad and delicious food!
Fine dining in a low key setting. All locally sourced ingredients and in house made bread, pasta etc. Some of the most exceptional food you’ll have.
8 locals recommend
Camas
7143 Caillet RoadFine dining in a low key setting. All locally sourced ingredients and in house made bread, pasta etc. Some of the most exceptional food you’ll have.
Incredible wood fired pizzas. They make in house pasta and it’s just delicious! AUTHENTIC Italian flavours!
37 locals recommend
La Stella Trattoria
321 Wesley StIncredible wood fired pizzas. They make in house pasta and it’s just delicious! AUTHENTIC Italian flavours!
The best sushi in town! They don’t deliver, but they do take out. Get their early to avoid the lines. So yummy!
64 locals recommend
Nori Japanese Restaurant
6750 N Island HwyThe best sushi in town! They don’t deliver, but they do take out. Get their early to avoid the lines. So yummy!
Absolutely incredible pizza!! No Dine in. But can be ordered on Doordash or phone for pickup. Highly recommend the pepperoni and the Hawaiian!
7 locals recommend
Pizzeria La Stella
6581 Aulds RoadAbsolutely incredible pizza!! No Dine in. But can be ordered on Doordash or phone for pickup. Highly recommend the pepperoni and the Hawaiian!
Delicious pizza! Absolutely recommend trying this place.
72 locals recommend
Cuckoo Trattoria and Pizzeria
2310 Alberni HwyDelicious pizza! Absolutely recommend trying this place.
A very charming English pub in an off the beaten path. This is a local haunt that you can’t easily find, it’s definitely a must for a pint or a meal. One of my favourite places to eat.
32 locals recommend
Black Goose Inn
1051 Resort DrA very charming English pub in an off the beaten path. This is a local haunt that you can’t easily find, it’s definitely a must for a pint or a meal. One of my favourite places to eat.
Rod & Gun
163 Alberni HwyA fun pub in Parksville that has great food and atmosphere!
If you like old English Pubs where you can imagine seeing an actual Hobbit you’ll love this place! It’s a local legend. A little far from Nanoose but well worth the drive. It’s an absolute gem! Delicious food and unbelievable atmosphere!
95 locals recommend
The Crow and Gate
2313 Yellow Point RdIf you like old English Pubs where you can imagine seeing an actual Hobbit you’ll love this place! It’s a local legend. A little far from Nanoose but well worth the drive. It’s an absolute gem! Delicious food and unbelievable atmosphere!
If you are in Nanaimo and need a coffee but want a local experience, definitely go here! Located in old Nanaimo one of the most charming areas. This place has delicious coffee and is a must visit.
47 locals recommend
The Vault
499 Wallace StIf you are in Nanaimo and need a coffee but want a local experience, definitely go here! Located in old Nanaimo one of the most charming areas. This place has delicious coffee and is a must visit.
Brazen Poppy Bakery Restaurant
402, 554 Island Highway EastDelicious sandwiches and coffee!
Amazing burgers! This is an indulgence! Fantastic burgers, hot dogs and shakes. A true guilty pleasure.
6 locals recommend
Papa's Burgers
487 Island Hwy EAmazing burgers! This is an indulgence! Fantastic burgers, hot dogs and shakes. A true guilty pleasure.
Oh Happy Bake
5540 Hiquebran RdAbsolutely incredible baking!!
Fancy burgers galore! Don’t let the outside fool you, the interior is modern and very well designed. These gourmet burgers are delicious and so are the drinks. We highly recommend!
Bin 4 Burger Lounge
6750 N Island Highway NorthFancy burgers galore! Don’t let the outside fool you, the interior is modern and very well designed. These gourmet burgers are delicious and so are the drinks. We highly recommend!
Great place to get groceries and fresh baked goods. Has specialty foods as well.
18 locals recommend
Eat Fresh Urban Market
164 Bagshaw StGreat place to get groceries and fresh baked goods. Has specialty foods as well.
Amazing local market that sells local meats and veggies. Great source for small batch and fresh and local groceries.
9 locals recommend
Springford Farm
1934 NW Bay RdAmazing local market that sells local meats and veggies. Great source for small batch and fresh and local groceries.
Sightseeing
The river is clear and rushing with Sandy beaches. A canyon with the river below offers a once in a lifetime experience!
140 locals recommend
Englishman River Falls Provincial Park
2245 Errington RoadThe river is clear and rushing with Sandy beaches. A canyon with the river below offers a once in a lifetime experience!
Sit here and watch the whales go by. This park is right down the street and has world famous diving! It’s gorgeous and highly recommended!
Es-hw Sme~nts Community Park
Sit here and watch the whales go by. This park is right down the street and has world famous diving! It’s gorgeous and highly recommended!
An amazing park with excellent walking trails just a few minutes away from our home. Stunning swimming in the summer! And great place for a pic in.
20 locals recommend
Moorecroft Regional Park
1563 Stewart RdAn amazing park with excellent walking trails just a few minutes away from our home. Stunning swimming in the summer! And great place for a pic in.
Brickyard Community Park
3828 Amberwood LnStunning ocean park
A wonderful hiking trail that leads up to incredible ocean views. It’s a wonderful park that I highly recommend!
19 locals recommend
Notch Hill Park
Powder Point RoadA wonderful hiking trail that leads up to incredible ocean views. It’s a wonderful park that I highly recommend!
Incredible hiking and nature walk. The giant trees will take your breath away!
163 locals recommend
Cathedral Grove
British Columbia 4Incredible hiking and nature walk. The giant trees will take your breath away!
Amazing park and place to go cave diving! It’s an unforgettable experience. (But not for those who are claustrophobic)
102 locals recommend
Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park
3905 Horne Lake Caves RdAmazing park and place to go cave diving! It’s an unforgettable experience. (But not for those who are claustrophobic)
Beautiful beach. A locals favourite, you can go crabbing and fishing or just play in the ocean.
165 locals recommend
Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park
1240 Rath RdBeautiful beach. A locals favourite, you can go crabbing and fishing or just play in the ocean.
An incredible park with a landmark bridge! You can explore the many trials or swim in the various swimming holes in the river.
8 locals recommend
Top Bridge
Top BridgeAn incredible park with a landmark bridge! You can explore the many trials or swim in the various swimming holes in the river.
A wonderful small park on the ocean. Walk on large flat rocks and explore tide pools, you can swim and enjoy the views.
9 locals recommend
Beachcomber Regional Park
1330 Marina WayA wonderful small park on the ocean. Walk on large flat rocks and explore tide pools, you can swim and enjoy the views.
This is a beautiful lake in the area. The water is great for swimming in and the place is perfect for exploration and relaxation.
Enos Lake
This is a beautiful lake in the area. The water is great for swimming in and the place is perfect for exploration and relaxation.
Nanaimo River
A beautiful river to explore if you are in Nanaimo!
Activities
This is one of the most amazing places to visit on the island! In the summer you see goats hanging out on the roof of the market. It has lots of food and stores that fulfill many needs. It’s a highly recommended place to visit!
151 locals recommend
Old Country Market - Goats on Roof
2326 Alberni HwyThis is one of the most amazing places to visit on the island! In the summer you see goats hanging out on the roof of the market. It has lots of food and stores that fulfill many needs. It’s a highly recommended place to visit!
If you love to golf this is an exceptional range for you! It’s beautiful and a must for golfers.
41 locals recommend
Fairwinds Golf Club
3730 Fairwinds DrIf you love to golf this is an exceptional range for you! It’s beautiful and a must for golfers.
Springford Farm
1934 NW Bay RdBuy local fresh fruit and veggies and farm raised food!
Mini golf is super fun here and a great activity for family and friends!
37 locals recommend
Riptide Lagoon Adventure Golf
1000 Resort DrMini golf is super fun here and a great activity for family and friends!
Fun time for families and also wine lovers! You can visit the farm and winery.
6 locals recommend
Mooberry Winery
403 Lowrys RdFun time for families and also wine lovers! You can visit the farm and winery.
A beautiful butterfly sanctuary. It’s a stunning little piece of paradise!
32 locals recommend
Butterfly World Coombs
1080 Winchester RdA beautiful butterfly sanctuary. It’s a stunning little piece of paradise!
Want to learn how to horseback ride? This is a fun activity! It’s a wonderful experience that you’ll love.
Paradise Acres Ranch
1085 Paradise PlWant to learn how to horseback ride? This is a fun activity! It’s a wonderful experience that you’ll love.
If you’ve ever wanted to sky dive this is the chance to do it! What better way to make an unforgettable memory?! If you are adventurous this is the activity for you. And it’s right here in Nanoose bay!
10 locals recommend
Skydive Vancouver Island
1515 Island Highway EastIf you’ve ever wanted to sky dive this is the chance to do it! What better way to make an unforgettable memory?! If you are adventurous this is the activity for you. And it’s right here in Nanoose bay!
Schooner Cove Yacht Club
3521 Dolphin DrGreat place to visit if you are a boat enthusiast.
Nanoose Bay Recreational Shellfish Reserve
2977 Hillview RoadVisit this place to go dig up local clams!
Local Drink
For those that like to enjoy local craft beer, wine and spirits these are our fav places.
Amazing beers and pepperoni! This large brewery has nibbles and fabulous beers along with an outstanding ambience! Highly recommend.
38 locals recommend
White Sails Brewing
125 Comox RdAmazing beers and pepperoni! This large brewery has nibbles and fabulous beers along with an outstanding ambience! Highly recommend.
Cliffside Brewing Co.
11 Cliff StA small but quaint brewery that has delicious beers!
Arbutus Distillery
1890 Boxwood RdAmazing local brewery with delicious beer and snacks!
35 locals recommend
Mount Arrowsmith Brewing Company
425 Stanford Ave EAmazing local brewery with delicious beer and snacks!
Shelter point is an award winning distillery with incredible whiskeys! If your a whiskey fan this is a must visit!
14 locals recommend
Shelter Point Distillery
4650 Regent RdShelter point is an award winning distillery with incredible whiskeys! If your a whiskey fan this is a must visit!
Excellent beer and a fun outing! This brewery is a great place to visit.
58 locals recommend
Tofino Brewing Co
691 Industrial WayExcellent beer and a fun outing! This brewery is a great place to visit.
Neighbourhoods
Coombs
Very quaint and adorable town with lots of local shopping and lovely places to eat.
108 locals recommend
Qualicum Beach
Very quaint and adorable town with lots of local shopping and lovely places to eat.
Parksville
Nanaimo
Torino is a Vancouver Island must see. A beautiful town that has incredible sightseeing and food.
104 locals recommend
Tofino
Torino is a Vancouver Island must see. A beautiful town that has incredible sightseeing and food.
Wonderful location in Nanaimo to get an incredible ocean view and also delicious food! Restaurant with an ocean view and amazing seafood.
6 locals recommend
Deep Bay
Wonderful location in Nanaimo to get an incredible ocean view and also delicious food! Restaurant with an ocean view and amazing seafood.
City advice
What to pack
Shoes
The beaches are rocky so pack crocs or water shoes to more thoroughly enjoy the ocean.
Customs and culture
Smile
People in Nanoose Bay are very kind and welcoming, you’ll even see some locals waving on the roads. So smile and say hi!
Travelling with kids
Pack and play
If you have an infant, you should being a pack and play as we don’t have one at the house ;)
Don't miss
Explore!
There are so many amazing places to go in Nanoose Bay, don’t be shy to go to the local parks. You’ll experience so many amazing ocean parks! So bring comfy runners or hiking shoes!